Spotify is now selling audio books, but with an analog business model that is further hampered by Apple. The limitations aren’t Spotify’s fault, but do limit upside.
AI Bundling Follow-Up, iPhone Follow-Up
Follow-up to AI Bundling, including costs, the meaning of distribution, and centralization, and why Apple is still a product company.
The Services iPhone
Apple introduced some impressive product updates; the real news, though, were the prices, which suggested that Apple is fully embracing being a services company.
Apple and Property Rights, On Google’s Non-Response, The Facebook Oversight Board
Apple’s ATT policy is another example of a tech giant playing a quasi-government role. Then, while there may be explanations for Google’s approach, they don’t stand up to scrutiny, while Facebook gets it right with their Oversight Board.
Google, Machine Learning, and CSAM; Takeaways and Tradeoffs; Apple’s CSAM Controversey
A story about Google’s false positives while scanning for CSAM highlight the terrible trade-offs involved; what is black and white is that Google is in the wrong.
An Interview With Eric Seufert About the Future of Digital Advertising
An interview with Eric Seufert about Apple’s big overhaul of SKAdNetwork, speculating about a possible Apple Ad Network, and why we’re both optimistic about Meta’s outlook. In addition, we discuss Snap’s disastrous year, and the Unity-ironSource-AppLovin acquisition drama.
Apple and Facebook’s Pre-ATT Negotiations, Timing and Documentation, ATT’s Impact
The Wall Street Journal fills in important details about the run-up to ATT, including negotiations between Apple and Facebook. Then, ATT denials don’t hold water.
Apple Earnings, Apple’s New Advertising Slots, Amazon Earnings
Apple and Amazon’s earnings, particularly the color around their advertising, suggests that there is no real replacement for Facebook ads
Aggregation Follow-up, Netflix’s Ad Partners
Follow-up to Spotify, Netflix, and Aggregation, and why brand advertising makes sense for Netflix.
Spotify’s Investor Day, Spotify’s Music Aggregation, Podcast Anecdata
Spotify’s investor day may not have convinced Wall Street, but the company provided compelling evidence its approach was working.